Letters From Rifka Themes

[Imelda Matchett]

FromNewbery media winner Karen Hesse comes an unforgettable story of an immigrant family's journey to America.

"America," the girl repeated. "What will you do there?"

I was silent for a little time.

"I will do everything there," I answered.

Rifka knows nothing about America when she flees from Russia with her family in 1919. But she dreams that in the new country she will at last be safe from the Russian soldiers and their harsh treatment of the Jews. Throughout her journey, Rifka carries with her a cherished volume of poetry by Alexander Pushkin. In it, she records her observations and experiences in the form of letters to Tovah, the beloved cousin she has left behind.

Strong-hearted and determined, Rifka must endure a great deal: humiliating examinations by doctors and soldiers, deadly typhus, separation from all she has ever known and loved, murderous storms at sea, detainment on Ellis Island--and is if this is not enough, the loss of her glorious golden hair.

Based on a true story from the author's family, Letters from Rifka presents a real-life heroine with an uncommon courage and unsinkable spirit.

We made it! If it had not been for your father, though, I think my family would all be dead now: Mama, Papa, Nathan, Saul, and me. At the very best we would be in that filthy prison in Berdichev, not rolling west through Ukraine on a freight train bound for Poland.

At the train station, Papa and Mama hid behind bales of hay in boxcars to my right. My two giant brothers, Nathan and Saul, crouched in separate cars to my left. Papa said that we should hide in different cars. If the guards discovered only one of us, perhaps the others might still escape.

As Papa expected, not long after he and Mama and the boys had hidden themselves, two guards emerged from a wooden shelter. They thundered down the platform in their heavy boots, climbing in and out of the cars, making their search.

They did not notice me at first. Saul says I am too little for anyone to notice, but you know Saul. He never has a nice word to say to me. And I am small for a girl of twelve. Still, my size did not keep the guards from noticing me. I think the guards missed seeing me at first because they were so busy in their search of the train. They were searching for Nathan.

You know as well as I, Tovah, that when a Jewish boy deserts the Russian Army, the army tries hard to find him. They bring him back and kill him in front of his regiment as a warning to the others. Those who have helped him, they also die.

Hearing the guards speak this morning, I understood his precaution. It was dangerous enough for you to know we were leaving. We could not risk telling you the details of our escape in case the soldiers came to question you.

The guards said terrible things about our family. They did not know me, or Mama or Papa. They did not even know Nathan, not really. They could never have said those things about my brother Nathan if they knew him. Saul, maybe, clumsy-footed Saul. They could have said hateful things about Saul, but never Nathan. The guards spoke ill of us, not because of anything we had done, not because of anything we had said. Just because we were Jews. Why is it, Tovah, that in Russia, no matter what the trouble, the blame always falls upon the Jews?

The guards hastened down the track toward me. One had a rough, unshaven face and a broad mouth. He stared at me for a moment or two as if he recognized me. Then he seemed to change his mind. He reached out to touch my hair.

hey karen hesse my name is rianna im 15 year old a freshman i love your book safekeeping i wish i could meet you in person right now im doing this project in school its sway what book im reading so i choose you but im go try read all your books.

Hello there, I am a high school student at Glenwood Springs High School and I am currently reading your book Safekeeping. It is an amazing book might I add. Point to my comment is, we have to do a book project and I need to gather some author information. I would love for you to send me some author information if you will. I ADMIRE your work so much! Get back to me as soon as you can!

Thank you, Rachel. There is no comment that touches me more deeply than when a non-reader tells me that she or he has become a reader because of my work. You have made me so happy with your kind and generous words. I wish you the best of luck in all you do.

Out of the Dust is one of my favorite middle grade books. EVERY kid I have recommended to, boy or girl, has said what a great book it is.

As a writer I am curious how you submitted the manuscript. I have a middle grade novel in verse I am shopping around. Since most agents and editors adamantly claim not to take poetry( even though this is a novel) should I send my sample pages in prose paragraphs?

Thank you so much.

Laura Moe

Hey! Just wondering if you could tell me the location of the beautiful abandoned staicase on page 196 in Safekeeping. I understand that some of your photos were taken on your walk through Vermont; and others were taken from years past. I was hoping that you could narrow down the possiblities. Shoot me an e-mail if you would like! Thanks!

Hi! I am Ava Ponczoch. I am 9 years old, and in 4 grade. I read your book called Out Of The Dust. It is the best book I have EVER read! Right now I am also reading Dear Mr.Henshaw, but your books are by FAR better than that book! In the book Dear Mr.Henshaw, Leigh Botts from Backersfield,California asks Mr.Henshaw 10 questions, I would like to ask YOU those 10 questions:

1.)How many books have you written?

2.)Is Karen Hesse your real name, or is it fake, like some authors?

3.)Why do you write books for children AND adults?

4.)Where do you get your ideas, for your books?

5.)Do you have any kids?

6.)What is your favorite book that you have written?

7.)Do you like to write books?

8.)What is the title of your next book going to be?

9.)What is your favorite animal?

10.)Please give me some tips on how to write a book, so I can become a famous author like YOU!

Hello, Ms. Hesse,

My name is Elise Hasseltine, and for school we are reading Out of the Dust. We each got a topic that relates somewhat to Out of the Dust and I got you! If you could tell me a bit about yourself and why you wrote Out of the Dust, that would be amazing!

Thanks!

Elise Hasseltine

Thank you, Easton. The best way to get a letter to me is by sending it to: Karen Hesse, c/o Scholastic, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, Attn: Author Mail. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, Karen Hesse.

Have you ever thought about writing a sequel to Witness? When was the story named (beginning, middle, or end of writing) and was it your only choice? And finally, we did a lot of character analysis looking at how characters changed in addition to courageous decisions and actions that help shape people and who they become. Do you have any additional thoughts on courage that you could leave with the students?

Hello Ms. Hesse,

In class, we had to write a companion book to go with a book of our choice we have previously read. I chose Safekeeping. I included a letter to you and I was wondering if there is anyway I could share it with you?

Thanks!

Last year my now 8th Graders & this year my new 7th grade students were & are addicted to making the connections through this reading. When the bell rings for the next class, I have to force them to stop reading and wait til we meet again. I love it!!!-

Hello Karen,

5th graders at our school just finished reading OUT OF THE DUST. They loved it! Have you ever thought about doing a Google Hangout with a class? Would you be available to do one with us?

So glad the fifth grade students loved OUT OF THE DUST. My technological skills and my internet connections are quite limited so I would not be able to do a Google Hangout with you but thank you so much for asking and for your support. My best to all. -Karen Hesse

What is the background information about the book JUST JUICE?

What inspired you to become a author and write about the culture of the book JUST JUICE?

What is your future proyects or actual ones ?

I am an eighth grade middle school English teacher at Mount Anthony Union Middle School in Bennington, Vermont. My classes just finished Out of the Dust, and last year we read Witness together. We would welcome the opportunity to meet you in person! My students are busy writing letters to you at this time, and we are wondering if there is a Brattleboro, Vermont post office box number we might send them to?

Hello! I am a student teacher in a 4th grade class and we just read the book Sable and loved it!. My students wrote a short letter (pretending to be Tate) to Mam and Pap giving all of the reasons they should be allowed to keep Sable.

Hi Karen Hess,

My friend Saul and I want to put on an adapted production of Witness, we read your previous comment about another production, but was just wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about the process.

Thanks,

tosca

We would invite you to visit us in Colorado if you happen to be in our neck of the woods, but since this is likely difficult, we would enjoy connecting with you through google hangouts or another video conference platform.

Thank you for your kind comment, Beau. You have done some excellent analysis and interpretation. Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with me and with other readers. All best wishes to you, Karen Hesse

Dear Karen Hesse,

I enjoyed your book a lot, but I have a few questions for you that I hope you could answer.

Is Johnny dead or alive?

Did Ira get out of the hospital?

What made Merlin change his thoughts about Learnora?

What made Leanora at the end of the book stick up for Merlin?

What made you think of writing this book?

Your book made me wonder what was going to happen next. I really like that.

I think everyone should read it and I think everyone will enjoy this book .

Sincerely,

Kayla Lorenz

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